THE Leinster Branch management committee will meet tonight to decide if Avoca should be granted postponements while their four international players are away in Cagliari. So as to make a point and leave the fixtures' issue balanced, Avoca fielded Golin Hade, Robbie Ryan and Galahad Goulet in relatively relaxed roles at various stages of the 6-2 win over Monkstown at Rathdown on Saturday, with the skipper, Peter Darley, monitoring every move from the sideline.
With Monkstown caught cold to trail 3-0 after 10 minutes, the match allowed Avoca's newer players to express themselves. Enda Gallanagh helped himself to two goals, in between which Trevor Dagg and Rory Kirwan also put their names on the scoresheet. David Hanna and Graham Dowling (with a particularly dextrous lob) increased the tally to six in the second-half.
The margin would have been greater but for a string of agile saves by Glenn Bailey. Ultimately it was encouraging for Monkstown - when they moved the ball quickly - that they. struck back twice as Bailey's fellow youth internationals, Justin Sherriff (in Hennessy style) and Ian Allen, hit the target in a late flurry.
Meanwhile, Corinthians and Glenanne, wondering whether they will tackle an under-strength Avoca side next month, enjoyed an invigorating 2-2 draw at Whitechurch Park. Making the most of the abolition of offside af a short corner, Glenanne opened the scoring through Roly O'Donoghue. Tom Connell quickly slotted home an equaliser but Stephen Butler, direct from a set-piece, regained the lead for the visitors before the interval. However, Colin Stewart, also following a corner, restored parity, though both teams missed chances in the closing exchanges, with Stewart, notably, being foiled by Ian Clarke.
A draw (1-1) was also a just outcome at Park Avenue where Michael Fry put YMCA ahead in the first-half and Paul O'Brien equalised for Railway Union before the end of a strenuous struggle. YM had Mark Vincent back to spearhead the attack while Robert Fox (from Trinity) and Jan Findlater, of a familiar dynasty, also made appearances. Neville Kavanagh provided fresh momentum to the Railway offensives.
Portrane, in contrast to their fellow repromoted side Monkstown, went three up against St Brendan's/Phoenix Park at Dardistown and were pleased with their 3-2 win (with Lloyd Felton registering a debut goal), after Dessie Farrell had challenged their early dominance.
Carlow and Kilkenny, happier in the second division, started the new campaign with full points by beating Aer Lingus and newcomers Naas 3-1 and 4-2 respectively.
